Abstrict

A device for washing, drying, and storing brassieres and bikini
tops and the like comprises an outer shell having two halves that
have a plurality of holes. A foraminous inner form, which also contains
a plurality of holes, has an exterior surface shaped like the contours
of a padded bra cup breast side. The bra cups' breast side rests
against the inner form's exterior surfaces to prevent it and the
bra's underwires from losing their natural curvature. The inner
form is hollow and provides space for the containment of a bra's
shoulder and back straps. The inner form is secured to the outer
shell's two halves by a first hinge, which allows the inner form
to swing from first half to second half and vice versa, and also
allows first half and second half to open and close like a clamshell.
A second hinge is located between the first hinge and the inner
form to allow the inner form to swing away from the outer shell's
two halves and back to its original position for easy placement
and removal of bra(s) inside in the device. A latching mechanism
secures the device in a closed and locked or latched position and
is located between the exterior and interior surfaces of the outer
shell's two halves. The protruding rim on one half of the outer
shell nestles within the receiving rim on the other half to prevent
lateral movement of the two halves.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for washing, drying, and storing brassiere, comprising:
a. a body having a sufficient size to accommodate a brassiere-like
object having a cup or inner side and an outer side, b. said body
biaxially hinged to the shell connecting hinge round shape with
a plurality of holes, c. said body comprising an outer shell in
two parts hingedly connected and a hollow interior, d. an inner
form having i. a hollow interior; ii. a plurality of holes, and
iii. a curved contour similar to that of said brassiere-like object's
breast side, e. said inner form being positioned within said hollow
interior of said outer shell.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner form is hollow together.

3. The device of claim 1 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two parts of said outer shell together.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said inner form contains a plurality
of holes.

5. The device of claims wherein said outer shell and inner form
are made of moldable material.

6. The device of claim 3 hinge holding said shell together has
a first pin, said biaxial hinge sharing said pin.

7. The device of claim 1 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two parts of said outer shell together,
said latch comprising a protruding tongue and receptacle, said receptacle
attached to first part of outer shell, said tongue attached to second
part of outer shell.

8. The device of claim 1 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two parts of said outer shell together,
said latch comprising a plurality of teeth, a separator, and a receptacle,
said teeth and said separator being attached to said first part
of said outer shell, said receptacle being attached to said second
part of outer shell.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is made of moldable
material, comprises two parts which are hinged together, and further
includes a releasable latch for releasably holding said two parts
of said outer shell together, and wherein said latch comprises a
protruding tongue and receptacle, said receptacle being attached
to first part of outer shell, said tongue being attached to said
second part of outer shell.

10. A device for protecting a garment having a brassiere configuration
which has a pair of cups, during washing, drying, and storing, comprising:
a. a foraminous outer shell for holding said brassiere, said outer
shell being openable for insertion of said bra and closable for
holding said brassiere during washing, and b. a unitary foraminous
inner form which can fit within said outer shell and which has two
outer surfaces configured for mating with said brassiere cups and
for holding their shape.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said outer shell comprises two
halves which are hinged together.

12. The device of claim 11 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two halves together.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein said inner form is hinged to
said outer shell.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein said inner form is attached
to said outer shell.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein said outer shell and inner form
are made of moldable material.

16. The device of claim 10 wherein said outer shell is formed of
two halves which are hinged together by a hinge having a first pin,
said hinge having one knuckle which has a projecting extension,
said inner form being hinged to said projecting extension with a
hinge having a second pin which is perpendicular to said first pin.

17. The device of claim 16 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two halves together and wherein said
outer shell is formed of two halves which are hinged together by
a hinge having a first pin, said hinge having one knuckle which
has a projecting extension, said inner form being hinged to said
projecting extension with a hinge having a second pin which is perpendicular
to said first pin.

18. The device of claim 10 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two halves together, said latch comprising
a protruding tongue and receptacle, said receptacle attached to
first half of outer shell, said tongue attached to second half of
outer shell.

19. The device of claim 10 further including a releasable latch
for releasably holding said two halves together, said latch comprising
teeth, a separator, and a receptacle, said teeth and said separator
being attached to said first half of said outer shell, said receptacle
being attached to second half of outer shell.

20. The device of claim 10 wherein said device is made of moldable
material, comprises two halves which are hinged together, and further
including a releasable latch for releasably holding said two halves
together, and wherein said latch comprises a protruding tongue and
receptacle, said receptacle being attached to first half of outer
shell, said tongue being attached to second half of outer shell.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention relates to clothes washing, particular to a washing,
drying, and storage device for brassieres and bikini tops.

2. Prior Art

Brassieres are commonly made with two cups, two shoulder straps,
two back straps, a latching mechanism (hooks and eyelets), optional
padding (soft foam, air, water, gel, or silicone), and, optionally,
two underwires. Padding can come as removable inserts or as an integral
part of the bra. Some bras comprise extremely delicate fabric, such
as lace, satin, silk, mesh, high-tech microfiber, stretch, and sheer
fabric.

The underwires, when used in the cups, often become misshapen during
washing and drying. Over time, the underwires frequently tear through
the bra's fabric. This can result in injury to the breast or bra,
and can also damage other clothing and the washing machine drum.

The latching mechanism, located either on the two back straps or
on the front in between the cups at the intercup bridge, typically
has several hooks and eyelets or a plastic snap closure. In the
washing machine and/or dryer the hooks frequently snag onto the
bra itself, zippers, buttonholes, sweaters, and delicate fabrics,
as well as becoming misshapen. A bra can also easily become tangled
with other clothing and in crevices within the washer and dryer,
causing further deformities to the cups, padding, underwires, fabric,
and straps. Repeated machine washing and drying can substantially
diminish the elasticity of bras. The padding, especially if made
of thick and soft foam, often becomes indented and bunched. If made
of air, water, gel, or silicone, it can becomes punctured and leak.
Such deformities are visible, even through a T-shirt, and are especially
noticeable when tight fitting garments are worn. These problems
are well understood by women who wear padded or non-padded bras.

Consequently, in an attempt to protect the bra's original shape,
some users have tried to wash bras in a dishwasher. To do so, the
bra must be fastened to the dishwasher to prevent it from shifting
and becoming damaged by the dishwasher's pointed rack rods and rotating
spray arm. Another way to wash bras is to place it within a mesh
washing bag, which is then placed in a washing machine or dishwasher.
However, because of its soft material construction, the bag still
does not adequately prevent the bra from being damaged--such as
losing its original shape, collapsing inward and against the cups'
curved shape, and becoming tangled with other bras within the same
bag. In addition, padded bras (especially those using air, water,
gel, or silicone) can be easily punctured, thus causing leakage
to the bra cups. The bra's hooks can also come loose and snag on
other bras placed within the same bag. The time and money needed
to replace a damaged bra can also be substantial.

Given all these inconveniences, many women have chosen to wash
their bras by hand. However, hand washing is very time-consuming
and impractical. It can also cause back, hand, and wrist pain. Most
bras that are hand washed have to be air-dried, which causes huge
water deposits where they are hung and thus slippery surfaces and
more unnecessary cleanup.

One attempt to address the aforementioned problems has been made
by DesForges with a garment protector as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5971236 (Oct. 26 1999). It comprises two separate inner and outer
shells that snap together in a concavo-convex fashion with the bra
secured between the shells. The user must place the right bra cup
on top of the left bra cup before it can be inserted into DesForges's
device. This folding process disfigures the bra cups' curvature,
especially when the bra is padded, even before it is washed and
dried. The more padded the cups, the more susceptible they are to
disfigurement, especially when folded in this fashion. The bra's
straps, along with its hooks, are left dangling outside the device,
which can then snag onto clothing, zippers, buttonholes, as well
as in the washer and dryer's crevices. Although DesForges claims
that bra straps may be held within the device, the gaps throughout
the device's shell are larger than the straps, thus leaving space
for the straps to escape and become tangled with the previously
mentioned items. A final problem is that its locking mechanism consists
of three pins, which easily can slide out of its engaging slot.

DesForges shows another garment protector in U.S. Pat. No. 6234368
(May 22 2001) which is basically the same as that of his '236 patent,
but adds a circular cover that fits over the inner form to hold
an extra clothing article. All of the previous devices flaws are
still present in this one. However, another problem arises--that
is, the cover is very unstable. Moreover, it isn't clear how this
cover can be secured in place; it will easily come loose during
machine washing and drying.

Mayer shows a garment protector in U.S. Pat. No. 5556013 (Sep.
17 1996). It comprises two domed-shaped baskets with two hinged
springs. The bra cups are sandwiched between the two baskets and
springs. The problem with this design is that the springs place
excessive pressure on the bra cups, thereby damaging their fragile
fabric and padding. Some bras are made of fabric, which is too delicate
to withstand the spring's pressure. Mayer's device has three locking
mechanisms, four hinges, and two spring-like components. These components
are confusing and make using the device difficult. Although Mayer
claims that the device's baskets prevent the bra's straps from tangling
with other clothing, the patent does not describe how this would
be accomplished.

Sutton shows a garment protector in U.S. Pat. No. 5829083 (Nov.
3 1998) that includes a pair of hemispherical sections that form
two balls, with the smaller ball nested within the larger ball.
The bra is held by the inner ball, which is then placed within the
outer ball. The problem with this design is that not all bra cups
are perfectly spherical, especially padded ones. For example, almost
all padded bras are thicker on the bottom where the underwires lie,
and then gradually thin out towards the top. This graduated foam
padding creates a more natural fit for the wearer than an evenly
padded bra and a more pleasing appearance to the upper part of the
breasts that are exposed when wearing certain styles of blouses,
etc. Because of its irregular contours, the inner part of a padded
bra, especially a thickly padded one, will not rest properly in
Sutton's device. Moreover, the device will not securely hold the
bra. The gaps are too big so that bra straps and hooks can easily
escape. Both hinges and locking mechanisms are unstable, as they
protrude from the device, and can easily hit the washer and dryer,
and eventually become damaged, thus making it unfit for further
use. Also, the pins of the hinge mechanism are removable, so a user
can easily misplace them, also rendering the device useless. Sutton's
device requires some trial-and-error to use, and therefore is not
user-friendly. For example, it isn't clear if the user must open
the device by pressing the thumb lever only, or must also remove
the rods or pins. Overall, this design is big and unwieldy, and
thus occupies a large volume in a washer or dryer.

Another garment protector is shown in UK published patent application
2238323 A to Beyer (May 29 1991). It uses a stiff cage-like container
with tiny holes in the walls. This device has a lower container
portion and an upper lid portion. However, this design is also flawed.
Although the rigid container may protect the bras from the outside
environment, it does not protect the bra's internal structure. For
example, semi-padded and thickly padded bras are made from various
materials (e.g., soft foam, gel, water, air or silicone) that often
become damaged with indentations, deformations, and leakage. The
bra's padding and natural curvature can collapse inward, and against
their original curved shape, and the hooks can come loose and snag
on the bra placed within the same device. In addition, the locking
mechanism consists of two external clasps with holes that snap into
its receiving studs. This mechanism appears unstable and can break
from constant impact with the washer and dryer through repeated
use.

Another garment protector is shown in UK published patent application
2291654 A to McArdle (Jan. 31 1996). It uses a container resembling
a flattened jar or disk. The bra is placed inside the container
and is secured by screwing on the lid. There are several problems
with this design. First, the holes are too small and too few, thus
preventing the bra from being properly cleaned and dried. Furthermore,
there is nothing to prevent the bra cups from becoming deformed,
especially padded ones.

In sum, all prior-art protectors of which I am aware have one or
more of the following disadvantages and defects: They require users
to fold the bra cup portion on top of one another before it can
be inserted into the device. This causes the cup portions of the
bra to lose their curvature and become flattened, resulting in improper
fitting of the bra cups around the wearer's breasts. The gaps throughout
each device's shell are much larger than the bra's straps, and thus
leave plenty of space for the straps to escape from the device.
Thus, the bra's back and shoulder strap portions can become tangled
with other clothing articles, causing loss of elasticity and distortions
to the bra cups and straps. Moreover, uncontained hooks on the bra
strap can become caught in buttonholes, sweaters, zippers, the bra
itself, as well as other clothing articles. These devices' designs
can damage a bra's delicate fabric (e.g., lace, satin, silk, mesh,
high-tech microfiber, and stretch fabric) by putting excessive pressure
on it. This causes the bra's fabric to run, snag, and pucker, creating
imperfections that are visible through an outer layer of clothing.
These devices do not prevent the soft foam padding from indenting
and bunching, causing visible deformity to the bra. These imperfections
are especially visible when body-hugging garments are worm. These
deformities are especially noticeable to women who wear padded bras.
These devices offer no protection for bra padding comprised of air,
water, gel, and silicone, which can become punctured and leak, thereby
ruining the bra cups and rendering the bra useless. The hinges and
locking mechanisms of these devices are unstable as they protrude
unprotected from the device, making them vulnerable to damage.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my bra device are:
(a) to provide an improved device for protecting bras during washing,
drying, and storage. (b) to provide such a device that can be used
to wash bras of various designs--including non-padded, semi-padded
and heavily padded bras--regardless of whether the padding is made
of soft foam, air, water, gel, or silicone. (c) to provide such
a device that can allow water, detergent and air to penetrate, yet
contain the bra's straps to prevent them and their hooks from escaping.
(d) to provide such a device that prevents bra hooks from puncturing,
hooking onto, and tearing the bra itself as well as other clothing
articles. (e) to provide such a device that has a reliable and user-friendly
latching mechanism and which is not susceptible to damage when properly
used. (f) to provide such a device that can shield both the contained
bra and the latching mechanism during washing, drying, and storage.
(g) to provide such a device that protects the bra's delicate fabric,
thus preventing it from running, snagging, and puckering. (h) to
provide such a device that prevents a bra from being battered, thus
preventing unsightly contours due to the bunching of the padding
medium. (i) to provide such a device that can preserve the curvature
of the bra's cups and underwires during washing, drying, and storage.
(j) to provide such a device that can contain a bra and all its
components for machine washing, drying, and storage. (k) to provide
such a washing, drying and storage device that can easily fit into
a washing machine and dryer.

Additional Objects and Advantages are (l) to provide an inexpensive,
convenient, reliable, lightweight, and sturdy device that can be
easily used when washing, drying, and storing one to three bra;
(m) to provide such a device that prevents the bra cups from tangling
within the device and from becoming misshapen once the device is
closed and locked, and when properly used. (n) to provide such a
device that can be used to wash, dry, and store not only bras and
bikini tops, but also removable bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads,
shoulder pads, hosiery, panties and scarves. (o) to provide a bra
protecting device that can withstand hot water from a washing machine
and hot air from a dryer. (p) to provide such a device with no sharp
edges, which prevents it from damaging other clothing articles in
the washer or dryer while in use. (q) to provide such a device that
can prevent lateral movement of the two outer shell halves during
washing, drying, and storage. (r) to provide such a device that
can accommodate at least one thickly padded bra, two semi-padded,
or three non-padded bras. (s) to provide such a device which will
properly protect a bra so that it will last nine or ten times as
long as one that is not protected during washing, drying, and storage,
thus reducing the cost of bras and the impact of manufacturing on
the environment.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from consideration
of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a washing, drying, and
storage device for brassieres and bikini tops comprises an outer
shell, which can be split into two halves, an inner form, at least
one hinge, and one latching mechanism. The inner form and outer
shell's two halves have holes that are large enough for water, detergent,
and air to reach the bra inside, yet are smaller than the bra's
shoulder straps. This prevents them from escaping and snagging on
other clothing including the bra itself.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a bra washing, drying, and storage device according
to my invention in an opened position with an inner form in the
center.

FIG. 2 shows the device in its opened position with the inner form
flipped outward and away from an outer shell's two halves.

FIG. 3 shows the device in its opened position with the inner form
flipped outward from the outer shell's two halves and a bra placed
inside the two outer shell halves.

FIG. 4 shows the device in its opened position with a bra placed
inside the two outer shell halves while the inner form is nestled
inside the left bra cup's breast side.

FIG. 5 shows the device in its opened position with a bra placed
inside and the inner form nestled inside both the left and right
bra cup's breast side.

FIG. 6 shows the device in its closed position.

FIG. 7 shows the space between the inner form and outer shell where
a bra's cups lie.

FIG. 8 shows the device's protruding rim on one half of the device
nestled within the receiving groove on the other half.

FIG. 9 shows the device's latching mechanism.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative latching mechanism.

FIG. 11 shows a first alternative embodiment: a ball-shaped device
without an inner form, leaving only the outer shell's two halves.

FIG. 12 shows a second alternative embodiment with a flat semi-circular
shape and without an inner form.

FIG. 1 shows my bra protector in an open or starting position.
The device preferably is made out of polypropylene which is heat
graded to protect it from heat damage. The protector has a first
half 66 and a second half 82 an inner form 52 a first hinge 50
a second hinge 84 and a latching mechanism comprising a tongue
64 with ridge 62 (not shown) and a receptacle 60 with ridge opening
59 and finger opening 70.

First half 66 second half 82 and inner form 52 are foraminous,
i.e, they have numerous circular holes 20. These holes allow water,
detergent, and air to freely penetrate to a bra inside (not shown)
for thorough cleaning, drying, and storage. (The number of holes
in FIG. 1 has been decreased for clarity purposes.) Each protector
will have approximately 160 to 230 holes, depending upon the size
of the device (the size depends upon the bra's cup size). The numerous
holes 20 allow detergent, water, and air to freely and thoroughly
penetrate and flow between the bras when two semi-padded or three
non-padded bras are simultaneously washed in the device. The diameter
of each hole is preferably one cm, but can be smaller, and should
not be any smaller than 0.5 cm. One-cm holes are smaller than the
bra's shoulder straps 36 which will prevent the straps from falling
out of holes 20. This will also prevent bra's back straps 32 and
shoulder straps 36 from losing elasticity and the hooks on the bra's
back strap 32 from catching onto other clothing articles, zippers,
buttonholes, the washer and dryer's crevices, as well as the bra
itself. Preferably first and second halves 66 and 82 have a diameter
of 12 to 16 cm with each half having 60 to 80 holes 20 (depending
upon the device's size, which is determined by the bra's cup size).
Inner form 52 preferably has 40 to 70 holes.

First hinge 50 connects first half 66 and second half 82 to inner
form 52. One knuckle of first hinge 50 extends out from first hinge
50 and contains the pin of second hinge 84 which is perpendicular
to the pin of first hinge 50. First hinge 50 allows both inner form
52 to swing from first half 66 to second half 82 and vice versa,
and also allows first half 66 and second half 82 to open and close
like a clam shell.

Inner form 52 is pivotably attached to second hinge 84 so that
inner form 52 can pivot around the pin of second hinge 84 as well
as pivot in a perpendicular fashion around second hinge 84. Specifically,
one knuckle of first hinge 50 extends out from first hinge 50 as
two plates which contain their own second hinge 84 whose pin is
perpendicular to the pin of first hinge 50. Second hinge 84 is located
between inner form 52 and first hinge 50 and allows the user to
move inner form 52 away from and back to its original position between
first half 66 and second half 82.

The main purpose of first and second halves 66 and 82 is to protect
the bra from damage caused by the washer, dryer, and other clothing
articles. A secondary purpose is to protect the latching mechanism.

First half 66 has an interior surface 72A and exterior surface
68A while second half 82 has an interior surface 72B and exterior
surface 68B.

Tongue 64 is located on second half 82 while finger opening 70
receptacle 60 and ridge opening 59 are located on first half 66.
Tongue 64 is located between exterior surface 68B and interior surface
72B on second half 82. Receptacle 60 is located between interior
surface 72A and exterior surface 68A of first half 66. First half
66 and second half 82 shield tongue 64 and receptacle 60 from normal
wear and tear, and ensure that the device remains closed during
washing, drying, and storage.

A gap 76 is formed below second hinge 84 by the space between first
hinge 50 and inner form 52. Gap 76 preferably measures 1.5 cm to
accommodate up to three bra intercup bridges 30 depending upon
the thickness of the bra's cups 34A and 34B.

FIG. 2--Overall Device with Inner Form Swung Out

Inner form 52 can be swung out from first half 66 and second half
82 as shown in FIG. 2. When inner form 52 is swung out, one to three
bras (not shown) can be stacked inside. Holes 20 can be seen on
first half 66 and second half 82 and inner form 52. (The number
of holes in FIG. 2 has been decreased for clarity purposes.) Second
hinge 84 facilitates the placement and removal of a bra or bras
inside the device, by allowing inner form 52 to swing away from
first half 66 and second half 82 and back to its original resting
position within the protector. It also prevents inner form 52 from
knocking against first half 66 and second half 82 during washing,
drying, and storage.

FIG. 3--Overall Device with Inner Form Swung Out and One Bra Placed
Inside

In FIG. 3 inner form 52 is swung out from the device, allowing
the bra cup's front side 28A to be placed into interior surface
72A and bra cup's front side 28B to be placed into interior surface
72B. Front side 28A should rest against interior surface 72A while
front side 28B should rest against interior surface 72B. Front sides
28A and 28B are the portions of the cups that face away from the
breasts of the woman wearing a bra. For clarity purposes, both back
strap 32 and shoulder strap 36 are shown outside of the hollow compartment
56 of inner form 52. A bra intercup bridge 30 rests in gap 76. Inner
form 52 will cradle breast side 26A. The other cup breast side 26B
is not shown as it is nestled by inner form 52. (The number of holes
20 in FIG. 3 has been decreased for clarity purposes.)

FIG. 4--Overall Device with Inner Form Nestled Inside Left Bra
Cup

FIG. 4 shows a bra placed inside the device and inner form 52 containing
one shoulder strap 36 and one back strap 32. (The number of holes
20 in FIG. 4 has been decreased for clarity purposes.) A bra is
positioned inside first half 66 and second half 82. Inner form 52
is nestled inside cup breast side 26A. Given that the device is
in its open position, cup breast side 26B is currently not pictured
nestled around inner form 52 but resting inside interior surface
72B. Exterior surfaces 68A and 68B of the shell's halves face the
drum of the washer or dryer. Shoulder strap 36 and back strap 32
are tucked into hollow compartment 56. (The other shoulder strap
36 and back strap 32 are not shown as they are contained in the
hollow compartment 56).

Inner form 52 preserves the curvature of underwires 48 and bra
cups 34A and 34B since it has the same contour as the cup breast
sides 26A and 26B. Hollow compartment 56 can also house other delicate
accessories, such as removable bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads,
shoulder pads, hosiery, panties, and scarves. The protector has
sufficient space to accommodate up to one thickly-padded bra as
shown, or two stacked semi-padded bras, or three stacked non-padded
bras (not shown). When more than one bra is placed inside the protector,
they are stacked so that the front sides of the cups of the second
bra faces the breast sides of the cups of the first bra, etc.

FIG. 5--Overall Device with Right Bra Cup Folded Over Left Bra
Cup

FIG. 5 illustrates inner form 52 nestled inside cup breast sides
26A and 26B. (The number of holes 20 in FIG. 5 has been decreased
for clarity purposes.) Shoulder straps 36 and back straps 32 are
not shown, but are tucked into hollow compartment 56 of inner form
52. To close the protector, first and second halves 66 and 82 are
closed toward each other, like a clam shell. Tongue 64 is inserted
into and held in place by receptacle 60. A clicking sound will be
heard when the device is correctly closed. To open the protector,
the user presses a finger inward into finger opening 70 and releases
recessed tongue 64 and ridge 62 (not shown) from finger opening
70 and ridge opening 59 on receptacle 60.

FIG. 6--Overall Device in Closed Position

FIG. 6 shows the device in its locked and closed position. (The
number of holes 20 in FIG. 6 has been decreased for clarity purposes.)
Tongue 64 shown in outline form located inside finger opening 70
is shielded by receptacle 60 and raised exterior surfaces 74A and
74B, which protect recessed tongue 64 from damage. This also prevents
the latching mechanism from accidentally opening during normal use.
To open the latching mechanism, the user must reach into finger
opening 70 to press recessed tongue 64 downward and then pull first
and second halves 66 and 82 away from each other.

FIG. 7--Cross Section

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of the device in its locked
position with inner form 52 and a padded bra (shaded portion of
figure) inside the protector. The device is seen through the latching
mechanism and illustrates how both bra cups 34A and 34B of a thickly
padded bra is cradled by first half 66 and second half 82 with
inner form 52 separating bra cups 34A and 34B. Hollow compartment
56 of inner form 52 is located where both bra's back straps 32 and
shoulder straps 36 are contained (not shown).

The space within the device between exterior surfaces 54A and 54B
of inner form 52 and interior surfaces 72A and 72B of first and
second halves 66 and 82 respectively, allow the snug placement of
not only thickly padded, but also semi-padded and non-padded bras.

FIG. 8--Receiving Groove and Protruding Rims

FIG. 8 shows receiving groove 80 nestling protruding rim 78. Protruding
rim 78 is located on first half 66 while receiving groove 80 is
located on second half 82. Protruding rim 78 and receiving groove
80 allow the device to be securely closed during washing, drying,
and storage. It also prevents lateral movement of first half 66
and second half 82. This design also alleviates stress on the latching
mechanism and first hinge 50 and second hinge 84 when properly used.

FIG. 9--Front View of Preferred Embodiment Latching Mechanism

FIG. 9 shows the latching mechanism in detail (previously described
in FIGS. 1 and 6). (Most of the holes 20 on the device are shown
in FIG. 9.) Tongue 64 has a ridge 62 that locks into receptacle
60 and ridge opening 59. Receptacle 60 is located between interior
surface 72A and exterior surface 68A of first half 66. Ridge 62
is located midway on tongue 64 while tongue 64 is located between
interior surface 72B and exterior surface 68B of second half 82.
First half 66 and second half 82 shield tongue 64 ridge 62 and
receptacle 60 from normal wear and tear, and ensure that the device
stays closed during washing, drying, and storage. Raised exterior
surface 74B on second half 82 and raised exterior surface 74A on
first half 66 shields tongue 64 while also preventing the device
from accidentally opening when in use.

Operation

Preferred Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 9

When washing, drying, or storing one bra in the device, it is placed
with its bra cup's front sides 28A and 28B facing outer shell interior
surfaces 72A and 72B. If placing a second bra into the device, the
second bra's front sides (28A and 28B) face the first bra's breast
sides 26A and 26B. Next, shoulder straps 36 and back straps 32 of
both the first and second bras are tucked into hollow compartment
56 as shown in FIG. 4.

A third bra can be placed within the device. The third bra's cup
front sides 28A and 28B face the second bra's breast sides 26A and
26B. Next, all three bra's shoulder straps 36 and back straps 32
are tucked into hollow compartment 56.

Multiple bras can be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored in this
manner due to the numerous number of holes 20 throughout first half
66 and second half 82 and on inner form 52 of the device. As stated,
first half 66 and second half 82 have approximately 120 to 160 holes,
while inner form 52 has approximately 40 to 70 holes. When two semi-padded
or three non-padded bras are simultaneously washed in the device,
I have found that holes 20 allow detergent, water, and air to freely
penetrate and flow between the bras to thoroughly wash and dry as
well as safely store each bra, including the middle placed bra when
three bras are concurrently washed.

FIG. 10--Alternative Latching Mechanism

FIG. 10 shows the preferred embodiment an alternative latching
mechanism, comprising receptacle 106 teeth 110 and separator 108.
(Most of the holes 20 on the device are shown in FIG. 10.) Teeth
110 are located on first half 112 while receptacle 106 is located
on second half 120. Teeth 110 and separator 108 are located between
the interior surface 118A and exterior surface 116A of first half
112. Receptacle 106 is located between interior surface 118B and
exterior surface 116B of second half 120. This design shields teeth
110 separator 108 and receptacle 106 from normal wear and tear.
The location of receptacle 106 also keeps the device securely closed
during washing, drying, and storage. Teeth 110 and separator 108
are aligned with receptacle 106. A click will be heard when the
device is properly closed. To open the device, the user inserts
two fingers into finger openings 114 presses teeth 110 together,
and then pulls first half 112 and second half 120 away from each
other.

FIG. 11--First Alternative Embodiment

FIG. 11 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the bra protector.
This embodiment is designed for washing, drying, and storing prosthetic
breast forms. Only one pair of prosthetic breast forms should be
washed in this device. Given the thickness of each prosthetic breast
form, washing, drying, or storing more than one pair of breast forms
will prevent them from being thoroughly cleaned and dried. This
embodiment can also be used for washing, drying, or storing removable
bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties,
scarves and small clothing articles.

This embodiment is essentially the same as preferred embodiment
in FIG. 1 except that inner form 52 and second hinge 84 is removed.
This first alternative embodiment is only comprised of outer shell,
including first half 112 and second half 120. Holes 100 for the
penetration of detergent, water, and air can be seen throughout
the device's first half 112 and second half 120. (The number of
holes 100 in FIG. 11 has been decreased for clarity purposes.) This
embodiment includes the same latching mechanism comprising tongue
64 with ridge 62 (not shown) located on second half 120 and receptacle
60 ridge opening 59 and finger opening 70 located on first half
112. This embodiment includes first hinge 50 that connects first
half 112 and second half 120.

To place prosthetic breast forms inside this device, bra cup front
sides 28A and 28B are placed facing the device's interior surfaces
72A and 72B. The convex shape of bra cup front sides 28A and 28B
should conform with the concave shape of interior surfaces 72A and
72B.

FIG. 12--Second Alternative Embodiment

FIG. 12 illustrates a second alternative embodiment. It is much
smaller in size than the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 11. This embodiment
has a flat, disk-like appearance and is ideal for non-padded underwire
and non-underwire bras. The device is not recommended for semi-padded
or thickly-padded bras, especially those made of soft foam, air,
water, gel and silicone. It is also not recommended for bras made
of extremely delicate materials, such as lace, satin, silk, mesh,
high-tech microfiber, stretch and sheer fabric. However, this embodiment
may be used to wash, dry, and store removable bra straps, demi-pads,
pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties, and scarves.

This embodiment has a first half 126 and a second half 127 connected
to each other by a hinge 128. This device has numerous holes 124
that are large enough for water, detergent, and air to penetrate,
but small enough to contain bra shoulder strap 36 back strap 32
and hooks, thus preventing them from becoming tangled with other
clothing articles and the washer and dryer's crevices. (The number
of holes 124 in FIG. 12 has been decreased for clarity purposes.)
The device also protects bra underwires 48 from becoming bent or
protruding from the bra and thus piercing its fabric.

This embodiment has the same latching mechanism as that of the
previous embodiments. This includes tongue 134 with ridge 132 located
on second half 127 and receptacle 130 ridge opening 104 and finger
opening 114 on first half 126. Other latching mechanisms can also
be used.

Before placing a non-padded bra in this device, the hooks on back
strap 32 should be latched to their corresponding eyelets. Next,
the bra should be folded in half with the two cup breast sides 26A
and 26B facing each other. The folded bra is then placed inside
the device. Shoulder straps 36 are tucked inside the device. To
wash, dry, or store two or three non-padded bras, each folded bra
is placed on top of the other inside the device.

One limitation of this device is that it should not be used to
wash, dry, or store padded bras, especially thickly padded bras,
as they need an inner form to prevent the collapse, indentation,
leakage, and bunching of the bra cups.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of my bra protector
become evident: (a) It is easy to use. All components (hinges and
latching mechanism) are attached to the device, thereby preventing
the possibility of their misplacement. The device is designed to
enable the user to place a bra inside the device easily. The inner
form not only separates the left bra cup from the right bra cup,
but it also offers structural support for the bra cups' breast side
and houses both the bra's back and shoulder straps, thereby preventing
the bra from shifting out of its preferred position as well as hooking
and puncturing the bra itself. Since the inner form is shaped to
the contour of a thickly padded bra, the user can use the device
to wash thickly padded, semi-padded, and non-padded bras. (b) Easy
placement of bra, bikini tops, and accessories inside the device.
The user is not confused in which direction to move the inner form
as the second hinge only allows it to swing outward. This facilitates
the loading and unloading of bra(s) and also prevents the inner
form from moving away from its intended original position between
the two outer shell's halves. (c) Since it can be made of sturdy
plastic, it can withstand hot water and hot dryer air and the impact
received from a washing machine and a dryer. (d) It contains all
of a bra's components for machine washing, drying, and storage.
(e) It fits easily into a washing machine and dryer. (f) It has
numerous holes that are large enough for water, detergent and air
to penetrate, yet are smaller than the bra's straps to prevent them
and its hooks from escaping the device. (g) It is very versatile;
it can be used to wash various kinds of bras-including heavily padded,
semi-padded, and non-padded bras, regardless of whether the padding
is made of soft foam, air, water, gel, or silicone. (h) It can accommodate
a maximum capacity of three bras. It can hold one thickly padded
bra, two semi-padded, or three non-padded bras. Given that a thickly
padded bra is 0.51 to 2.50 cm in thickness, only one bra should
be placed inside one device for thorough washing and drying. However,
two semi-padded bras, with a bra cup thickness of 0.26 to 0.50 cm
can be concurrently placed in one device for thorough washing and
drying. Thus, three non-padded bras with a bra cup thickness of
0.05 to 0.25 cm can be concurrently placed in one device for thorough
washing and drying. (i) It preserves the curvature of the bra's
cups during washing, drying and storage. The outer shell's two halves
and inner form accomplish this as they are designed according to
the contours of the bra cup front sides and cup breast sides respectively.
(j) It provides protection for the bra's underwires by preserving
their shape and preventing them from moving around within the device,
and thus becoming misshapen or piercing of the bra's fabric and
other materials. This ensures proper fitting of the bra around the
wearer's breasts after machine washing and drying and prevents the
discomfort caused by a protruding underwire. (k) It has a separate
housing compartment for bra shoulder and back straps and its hooks
in order to prevent them from puncturing and tearing other clothing
articles as well as the bra itself. The hollow compartment of the
inner form also preserves the straps' elasticity by protecting them
from mechanical stress incurred from machine washing and drying.
(l) It has an outer shell that can be split into its two halves
to protect the bra's delicate fabric, thus preventing it from running,
snagging, and puckering. This is especially important in preserving
extra delicate bras made of lace, satin, silk, high-tech microfiber,
sheer, stretch, and mesh fabric. (m) It has a reliable and user-friendly
latching mechanism that is located between the protruding exterior
and interior surfaces of the outer shell and is not susceptible
to damage when properly used. (n) It has a protective outer shell
that shields both the latching mechanism and the bra contained inside
it during washing, drying, and storage. (o) It can be used to wash,
dry, and store not only bras and bikini tops, but also removable
bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties,
and scarves. (p) It has no sharp edges, and thus it will not damage
other clothing articles in the washer or dryer while in use. (q)
It is securely closed during washing, drying, and storage by having
a protruding rim on the outer shell's first half, which fits tightly
into a receiving groove in the outer shell's second half. This design
prevents lateral movement of the two halves and alleviates stress
on the latching mechanism and its hinges (first hinge and second
hinge) when properly used. It also adds extra protection and reinforcement
for the outer shell's two halves to remain securely closed.

RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

While the above description contains many specificities, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,
but rather as an exemplification of my preferred embodiment and
some of the other presented preferred embodiments. Many other variations
are possible. For example, the bra protector can have other shapes,
such as oval, elliptical, semi-circular shape, etc., and will come
in many different bra sizes, colors, materials, and dimensions.
The first alternative preferred embodiment can also include a divider
within the device to separate objects placed in the two outer shell
halves. The air/water/detergent holes can vary in number and shape.
E.g., the holes can be oval, square, triangular, rectangular, crescent
shaped, etc., or even mixed. The hinges can be living hinges. The
protector can alternatively be made of metal, wood, resin impregnated
cloth, etc. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined
by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than
by the examples given.